ST BENEDICT, ABB. (Memorial) White He was the twin brother of St Scholastica. While studying in Rome, he was dismayed by the lack of indiscipline of his fellow students; so he fled to a cave and lived there as a hermit for three years. Inspired by his life, a group of monks asked him to … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gn 28:10-22a; Psalm: 91 R. v. 2b; Gospel: Mt 9:18-26 WHEN FAITH FAILS US BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Some years back, I was at a hospital to see the doctor. Coincidentally I saw a teenage girl in her school uniform lying on a stretcher by the reception area. She was unconscious … [Read more…]
First Reading: Zec 9:9-10; Psalm: 145. R. v. 1; Second Reading: Rm 8:9. 11-13; Gospel: Mt 11:25-30 HIS YOKE IS EASY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gn 27:1-5. 15-29; Psalm: 135 R. v. 3a; Gospel: Mt 9:14-17 NEW WINE, FRESH WINESKIN BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Why were the disciples of John so concerned about fasting that they considered it a point of discussion to table before Jesus? Judging from our time, fasting isn’t always compulsorily demanded. But … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gn 23:1. 4. 19; 24:1-8. 62-67; Psalm: 106. R. v. 1b; Gospel: Mt 9:9-13 A LESSON FROM JESUS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP People criticise for various reasons. There are those who criticise because they feel they can do better. And there are those who criticise just to take people’s attention away … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gn 22:1-19; Psalm: 116. R. v. 9; Gospel: Mt 9:1-8 THE BLACK DOT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The goodwill of Jesus in today’s gospel was met with two contrasting reactions which is not different from what we occasionally experience in life. Jesus had just left the district of Gadarenes where he … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gn 21:5. 8-20; Psalm: 34. R. v. 7a; Gospel: Mt 8:28-34 HUMAN WEAKNESS AND GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Hagar was an Egyptian slave who served as a maid to Abraham’s wife Sarah. When Sarah couldn’t conceive, she gave Hagar to Abraham to bear him a child. When Hagar … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gn 19:15-29; Psalm: 26. R. v. 3a; Gospel: Mt 8:23-27 FAITH IN TURBULENT MOMENTS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The reaction of the disciples in the gospel of today re-echoes how we often naturally slip into fear in moments of danger. When their boat was swamped by the waves, fear gripped them … [Read more…]
ST THOMAS, AP. (Feast) Red Thomas was probably born in Galilee, but there is no record as to how he became one of the Twelve Apostles of Christ. His name in Greek is Didymus, which means “the twin.” He is best remembered for his doubt about Christ’s resurrection. Thomas evangelized the Parthians, Medes, and Persians. … [Read more…]
First Reading: 2Kgs 4:8-11. 14-16a; Psalm: 98. R. v. 2a; Second Reading: Rm 6:3-4. 8-11; Gospel: Mt 10:37-42 RETHINKING OUR COMMITMENT TO SELFLESS GENEROSITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is … [Read more…]
